Officials said firefighters will continue to eliminate slash piles within the project areas by use of prescribed fire.

Ignitions are dependent upon weather conditions on the day of the burn.

When current weather is not favorable for burning, operations are canceled or halted.

Firefighters monitor smoke emissions and burning operations so the smoke impacts are minimal.

"These projects will help continue to reduce fuel loads and lessen wildfire risks," District Fuels Specialist on the Smokey Bear Ranger District Dan Ray said. "We treated 30 acres on the Perk Grindstone project in December and we'll be focused on the Stansell and Blue Lake projects next week."

The projects include:

• Eagle 1: 2.4 acre unit, located five miles north, northwest of Ruidoso, off N.M. State Highway 532 (Ski Run Road).

For more information about prescribed fire projects on the Smokey Bear Ranger District, contact the District Office at 575-257-4095, Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. or Public Affairs Officer, Loretta Benavidez, at 575-430-5546 or e-mail Benavidez at llbenavidez@fs.fed.us. For information about the Lincoln National Forest, go online at www.fs.usda.gov/lincoln or follow LNF on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LincolnUSForest.